Vocal harmony training UK resources

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mark Fishpool on November 14, 2010 at 4:33pm

They have some good material at Musicademy. I've had a few things from them (including some vocal harmony DVDs) and they seem pretty good. They also have a good blog with quite a bit of useful information and which is regularly updated.

Mark

Permalink Reply by Andy Copsey on November 14, 2010 at 5:32pm

Thanks - I had seen these and did wonder whether to go for them - vols 1 &2 for starters.I'll have a look at the blog as well.
Regards

Andy

Permalink Reply by Wulf Forrester-Barker on November 14, 2010 at 10:05pm

The Musicademy stuff I saw about 3 years ago was quite decent. Lots packed into the vocal training DVDs although, IMHO, those editions suffered from not having a detailed menu so it was hard to skip to a particular lesson or exercise.

If you've got reasonable vocal skills, there might be a quicker route to get what you need - your music collection! Listen and learn. Listen to tracks that you think have great backing vocals and see if you can sing along with the harmonies rather than echoing the lead vocalist.

Wulf

Permalink Reply by Andy Copsey on November 15, 2010 at 8:56am

Thanks. Thats more or less what I do at present - but I wanted to take it further and be able to add my feel to something.
I know backing singers who having heard a melody line a couple of times, can add what sounds like a perfectly crafted harmony 'juts like that'. There is something going on there that is a closed book to me at present. I can harmonise round some songs more easily than others, but they are few and far between.

I have the same issue with guitar solos - I can work out or copy something - but lack the ability to 'hear and play something' on the spot in most cases. (Except when lying in bed with a song going round my head - I can 'think up' perfect solos then!)

I have put the music academy DVDs on 'santas list'. I'm hoping 'she' reads it.
Andy

Permalink Reply by SOS Vocals on November 15, 2010 at 10:39am

Hi Andy

As a trained vocal coach, i work with many singers from church who are experiencing the same as you, especially in the choir.

As a result I run classes called 'sweet harmonies' to address this exact problem.

I have a keyboardist come in to run the class with me and one of the techniques i use is drawing out the harmony. Not everyone can 'hear' the harmony or 'feel' the harmony. some people have to 'see' how it works.

It is not clear from your original question if you understand the basics of a harmonies (ie chords), but i do find that this is a good place to start.

As for using a dvds/cds, these can help immensley for those who want to get an idea of what it entails, but there is no substitute for professional face to face advice with an exprienced vocal coach who can run you through harmonies and correct you where needs be.

After all, you may suspect you have an illness but untill you go to the trained doctor you will never be completely sure :-)

Bless
Dionne
www.sosvocaltrainingbeds.co.uk

Permalink Reply by Andy Copsey on November 15, 2010 at 12:44pm

I have asked around locally to find voice training over the last couple of years - not put enough effort into it maybe but I had no joy so far.It does need to be worship orientated. The area is Ilkley, yorkshire. I'll have another go and see if something turns up this way.
Regards

Andy

Permalink Reply by SOS Vocals on November 15, 2010 at 2:37pm

Hope it works out. I know there is a 'gospel academy ' in birmingham, but whether they teach harmonies as a separate subject, i don't know.

There are very few worship orientated vocal coaches out there. There are coaches who teach gospel singing for fun (as i call it) but very very few who coach as a ministry, as i do.

I know Abundant Life in Bradford have a worship academy. Maybe give them a try?

Unfortnately, i do not teach harmonies by skype only through workshop or i woul dhave suggested skyping me.

Dionne

Permalink Reply by Andy Copsey on November 15, 2010 at 3:14pm

Thanks. I have now emailed alc in bradford - the academy looks to be more general in format - but they may do specialist subjects. It is worth checking on.

Regards

Andy